How to Listen to God - C.S. Lewis’s Powerful Wisdom

imagine a group of people all living in the same building half of them believe it is a hotel while the other half perceive it as a prison those who think it is a hotel may find their circumstances intolerable while those who view it as a prison might unexpectedly consider it quite comfortable thus what seems unpleasant in the context of a hotel could be viewed as a blessing within the confines of a prison if we regard this world merely as a place designed for our happiness we will undoubtedly find it intolerable however if we see it

instead as a place of training and correction our perspective shifts dramatically this idea complement CS Lewis's profound insights in his book God in the dark particularly as he reflects on Hebrews 1211 no discipline seems Pleasant at the time but painful later on however it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it life can indeed be incredibly hard and the struggles we face can feel overwhelming at times the burdens we carry seem too heavy to Bear you may find yourself wondering when or even if things will improve I am

here to remind you that change will not come solely through our strength but through the grace and mercy of our loving God in moments of deep despair when the nights are darkest and the days feel end ESS it is all too easy to feel alone abandoned and forgotten but let me assure you you are never nothing Our God the creator of the heavens and the Earth sees you he knows your pain your fears your worries and your doubts he has not forgotten you he has not forsaken you God promises Us in his word I will

never leave you nor forsake you Hebrews 13:5 he is with you in your struggles walking beside you even carrying you when you feel you cannot take another step remember the powerful words of Isaiah 41:10 do not fear for I am with you do not be dismayed for I am your God I will strengthen you and help you I will uphold you with my righteous right hand we often seek IM immediate relief and instant answers yet sometimes God allows us to navigate through challenges to mold us strengthen our faith and prepare us for greater things consider

the story of Joseph who was sold into slavery by his own brothers and falsely accused leading to his imprisonment through every trial God was with him shaping his character and preparing him for a significant role in Saving a nation your struggles are not in vain they are part of a greater plan even if it remains hidden from your view right now one day you will understand how God turns struggles into triumphs reflect on David who faced the Giant Goliath armed with only a sling and a stone or think of Daniel who was thrown into the

lion's den but emerged unscathed consider Paul and Silas who despite being beaten and imprisoned sang hymns to God and witnessed the prison doors flung wide open these stories Are Not Mere ancient Tales they are living testimonies of what God can accomplish in our lives today hold on to your faith especially when the temptation to give up looms large press on when the weight of the world feels unbearable lean on the Everlasting Arms of our savior he is your refuge and strength an everpresent help in times of trouble s PM 461 cast all your anxiety on

him for he cares for you 1 Peter 5:7 remember the beautiful Assurance of Romans 8:28 and we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him who have been called according to his purpose your current struggle is not the conclusion of your story it is a chapter in The Journey God is orchestrating For Your Life Trust in his plan even when the way for forward seems unclear as you navigate these challenges take comfort in knowing that God is actively working weaving together every aspect of your life for a greater

good his timing may not match our desires but it is perfect allow yourself to be shaped by your experiences knowing that they are preparing you for the blessings yet to come in the depths of Despair remember that God is with you transforming every trial into an opportunity for growth and Faith let your heart be encouraged by this profound truth God will bring an end to your struggles it may not occur in the manner you expect or within the timeline you desire but his Deliverance will surely come stay steadfast in your faith be patient in Affliction

and joyful in hope I urge you lift your eyes to the hills from where your help comes your help comes from the Lord the maker of heaven and Earth Psalm 121 1-2 he is your rock your Fortress and your deliverer no struggle is too great for our God he is faithful and he will see you through this season of trial take heart dear friends and Trust in his unfailing love in our darkest moments it's common to feel that our prayers are going unanswered or that God is silent but remember God's silence does not equate to

his absence he is actively working behind the scenes orchestrating events and aligning circumstances in ways that may be beyond our comprehension as Isaiah 5589 reminds us for my thoughts are not your thoughts neither are your ways my ways declares the Lord as the heavens are higher than the earth so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts our finite Minds often struggle to grasp the infinite wisdom of his plans trust that his silence may be a Divine setup for a breakthrough that you cannot yet see in moments of waiting let

patience strengthen your resolve allow hope to flourish in your heart knowing that God's timing is perfect each moment spent in prayer each tear shed in struggle is a step toward his greater purpose for your life the Lord promises in Jeremiah 29:11 for I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord plans to prosper you and not to harm you plans to give you hope and a future Embrace this promise and as you navigate through life's challenges remember that God is always with you preparing you for the victories that lie ahead let his love

and faithfulness be your anchor during the storm your break through is coming stay the course with unwavering Faith consider the seasons of life is is is a winter eventually gives way to Spring your season of struggle will yield to a season of joy and abundance Ecclesiastes 3:1 reminds us there is a time for everything and a season for every activity under the heavens your time of suffering is not permanent it is but a chapter in The Grand Story of your life not the entirety of it the author of your story has promised to bring beauty

from ashes Joy from mourning and praise from despair it is essential to hold on to hope hope is a powerful force that sustains us through the most challenging times it is Not Mere wishful thinking it is The Confident expectation of what God has promised Hebrews 10:23 encourages us let us hold unswervingly to the hope we Prof confess for he who promised is faithful God's promises are not empty words they are solid guarantees from the one who is eternally faithful as we navigate our struggles let us fix our eyes on Jesus the author and perfector of

our faith he endured the cross scorning its shame and sat down at the right hand of the Throne of God consider him who endured such opposition from Sinners so that you will not grow weary and lose heart Hebrews 12:23 Jesus himself faced unimaginable suffering but emerged Victorious his resurrection is a testament to the power of God to bring life from death and victory from defeat in every storm you encounter remember that Jesus is in the boat with you when the disciples were caught in a fierce storm they cried out in fear but Jesus calmed the

wind and the waves with just a word he will do the same for you speaking peace into your chaos calm into your storms and Stillness into your anxiety let your struggles draw you closer to God often it is in our weakest moments that we experience his strength most profoundly as Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 12:9 but he said to me my grace is sufficient for you for my power is made perfect in weakness therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses so that Christ's power May rest on me allow his grace to

envelop you sustain you and carry you through dear friends your struggles are not the end of your story they are The Proving Ground of your faith the arena where God's power is most vividly displayed hold on to his promises lean on his strength and Trust in his perfect timing he is the God of All Comfort the Prince of Peace the mighty warrior who fights for you he will bring you through this and you will emerge stronger wiser and more deeply rooted in his love as we seek strength in God's promises let us delve into the

transformative power of his love God's love for you is not based on your circumstances or performance it is unconditional unshakable and eternal Romans 8 3839 assures us for I am convinced that neither death nor life neither angels nor demons neither the present nor the future nor any powers neither height nor depth nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our lord in your moments of doubt and struggle let this truth anchor your soul you are deeply loved by God his love is

a fortress that surounds you a shield that protects you and a light that guides your path Embrace this love and let it Empower you to face each day with renewed hope and unwavering faith when you feel unworthy or unloved remember this Divine love that is freely given to you let it fill your heart and mind casting out fear and replacing it with a profound sense of peace and security God's love is not passive it is active and pursuing he is always reaching out to you inviting you into a deeper relationship with him Revelation 3:20 proclaims

here I am I stand at the door and knock if anyone hears my voice and opens the door I will come in and eat with that person and they with me he longs to be close to you to share in your Joys and comfort you in your Sorrows open your heart to him and allow his love to transform your life let us also focus on the power of hope hope is not merely a fleeting feeling it is a confident expectation anchored in the promises of God Hebrews 6:19 describes hope as an anchor for the soul

firm and secure when the storms of life rage around you let Hope anchor you keeping you steadfast and immovable this hope we have in Christ is not dependent on our circumstances but on the unchanging nature of God he is faithful and true and his promises are sure whatever you are facing today place your hope in him trust that he is working all things together for your good even when you cannot see it this hope will sustain you strengthen you and carry you through the darkest of times in moments of struggle it is crucial to embrace

the power of surrender surrendering to God does not mean giving up Rather it means entrusting your life and your circumstances to the one who knows best Proverbs 356 urges us trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding in all your ways submit to him and he will make your path straight surrender allows us to release our burdens and anxieties creating space for God's peace to fill our hearts when we let go of our need to control every outcome we open ourselves to to his guidance and Direction remember surrender

is not a sign of weakness it is a bold declaration of trust in God's sovereignty as you surrender your struggles to him know that he is already at work orchestrating a plan that exceeds your understanding with God there is always hope and his love will continually remind you that you are never alone submit to him and he will make your path straight when you surrender you acknowledge that you do not have all the answers and that you cannot control everything you place your trust in God believing that his plans for you are good and that

he is in control this act of surrender brings a sense of Peace and Freedom releasing you from the burden of trying to manage everything on your own take a moment now to lay your burdens at the feet of Jesus whatever is weighing you down fear anxiety uncertainty or pain give it to him in Matthew 11:28-30 Jesus invites us come to me all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest take my yoke upon you and learn from me for I am gentle and humble in heart and you will find rest for

your souls for my yoke is easy and my burden is light as we walk this Journey of Faith together let us hold fast to the power of perseverance James 1:24 reminds us consider it pure joy my brothers and sisters whenever you face Trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete not lacking anything your struggles are not in vain they are shaping you refining you and preparing you for the future that God has planned every challenge you

face is an opportunity to grow in faith develop resilience and deepen your trust in God do not lose heart keep pressing forward knowing that God is with you every step of the way my dear friends let us also remind ourselves of the power of praise praise is a potent weapon in our spiritual arsenal when we lift our voices in worship we shift our Focus from our problems to the greatness of our God this invitation opens the door for God's presence to move in our situations 223 tells us God inhabits the Praises of his people when

we praise we create an atmosphere for miracles breakthroughs and divine intervention so let praise be your response in times of trouble let it rise from your heart as a declaration of Faith trust in God's promises and allow your praises to resonate in the heavens remember as you persevere through life's challenges you are not only growing stronger but also inviting God's transformative power into your life in the book of Acts we read about Paul and Silas who were imprisoned beaten and Shackled yet in the midst of their pain they chose to sing hymns and praise God

and what happened a miraculous earthquake shook the foundations of the prison the doors flew open and their chain fell off this is the power of praise it breaks chains opens doors and sets us free whatever chains are binding you today be it fear doubt anxiety or any other burden praise your way through them sing songs of gratitude declare God's goodness and watch as he begins to move in your life in extraordinary ways your praise can turn the tide of your battle it can shift your perspective lifting you above the circumstances that seek to drag you

down let us also lean on the power of God's word the Bible is not just a book it is the living and breathing word of God full of promises we can hold on to Psalm 119 105 declares your word is a lamp for my feet a light on my path in your darkest moments let his word be your guide when you feel lost it will illuminate your way when you feel weak it will give you strength when you feel hopeless it will renew your faith memorize the scriptures meditate on them and let them saturate your

soul verses like Philippians 4:13 remind us I can do all this through him who gives me strength and Jeremiah 29:11 offers reassurance for I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord plans to prosper for you and not to harm you plans to give you hope and a future these are powerful reminders of God's promises speak them over your life believe in them and allow them to transform your heart and mind finally never underestimate the power of community we are called to carry each other's burdens as it says in Galatians 6:2 carry each

other's burdens and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ so rise up and walk together together through the valleys and mountains of Life surround yourself with people who will pray for you encourage you and remind you of God's faithfulness in times of struggle the support of a loving Community can make all the difference seek out Fellowship whether through a church group a Bible study or a few trusted friends share your burdens with them and allow them to share theirs with you together you can lift each other up strengthening one another as you

navigate the trials of Life Remember You Are Not Alone God has placed others in your life to walk alongside you helping you grow in faith and resilience in this Mutual exchange we find strength comfort and a tangible expression of God's love if you prefer not to have face-to-face meetings know that our channel will always be here standing firm regardless of the circumstances ready to bring prayers and divine teachings as we conclude this message let us remember that God's promises are true and his love is eternal he will bring an end to your struggles and carry

you to the other side stronger and more resilient trust in his timing lean on his strength and hold fast to his word your breakthrough is coming your Victory is near and the God who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus Philippians 1:6 the passage from Philippians 4:6-7 always brings me peace do not be anxious about anything but in every situation by prayer and petition with Thanksgiving present your requests to God and the peace of God which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your

minds in Christ Jesus now let us pray together dear heavenly father I come to you today seeking Solace and guidance amid my struggles and financial challenges the weight of uncertainty and difficulty is heavy upon me and I humbly ask for your divine intervention to bring an end to my struggles and Usher in a season of restoration grant me the strength to persevere during these difficult times and help me maintain faith in your plan for my life give me the resilience to overcome each obstacle and the wisdom to make sound financial decisions fill my heart with

hope and assurance that better days are ahead I pray for financial breakthrough and stability knowing that with your grace all things are possible please open doors that have been closed and guide me toward opportunities for prosperity and abundance may your blessings flow into my life and bring the restoration that I so desperately need in the midst of these challenges I place my trust in you knowing that your love and grace are unwavering thank you for hearing my prayer and for guiding me through this season of struggle I eagerly anticipate the restoration and financial blessings that

you will bring into my life in jesus' name I pray amen even the wisest and most intelligent May falter during moments of weakness CS Lewis in his book a grief observed reflects on his own experience of grief following his wife's death he writes listen no one ever told me that grief felt so like fear I'm not afraid but the sensation is like being afraid the same fluttering in the stomach the same restlessness at other times it feels like being mildly drunk or concussed there is a sort of invisible blanket between the world and me he

describes how grief makes it difficult to engage with the world saying I find it hard to take in what anyone says or perhaps hard to want to take it in it is so uninteresting yet I want the others to be about me I dread the moments when the house is empty If Only They would talk to one another and not to me in the same book Lewis shares profound insights about trusting God in difficult moments you never know how much you really believe anything until its truth or falsehood becomes a matter of life and death

to you he elaborates it is easy to say you believe a rope to be strong as long as you are merely using it to cord a box but suppose you had to hang by that rope over a precipice wouldn't you then first discover how much you really trusted it only a real risk tests the reality of a belief it is moments like these that Lewis captures so eloquently that make us realize our depression and anxiety often stem from deeper issues I believe in God and yet even in moments of Anguish and suffering I sometimes forget

his presence this video serves as a reminder that you are never alone even in times when you withdraw from everyone to suffer in silence in that silence our minds can Scream the loudest the question is what do they scream the key is this if we stop to think and reflect on the Lord's word during these moments and seek him with all our hearts I am confident we can overcome anything let's talk about the strange moment we are living in now these times can feel uncertain and chaotic but remember that God is always in control lean

on his promises and let his love guide you through every challenge you face people in countries blessed with abundance often feel as if they have little those who have reasons to be happy frequently appear to be the least happy why does this happen is it the incessant comparison particularly in our social mediad driven world where we never feel enough because there will always be someone better in some area comparison truly is the thief of joy as CS Lewis wisely States gratitude looks to the past and love to the present fear AAR lust and ambition look

eagerly to the Future it doesn't matter how good you are if you are not Greatful for who you are and what you have you will never find happiness there will always be someone with more money someone achieving greater success someone fitter or more attractive if you constantly compare yourself to others you will always feel lacking however one thing other people can never have over you is your unique identity Lewis reminds us you don't have a soul you are a soul you have a body when you embrace your individuality and allow yourself to be exactly as

you are you unlock the path to genuine happiness the less you care about comparisons the happier you will be as Philippians 4:67 instructs do not be anxious about anything but in every situation by prayer and petition with Thanksgiving present your request to God and the peace of God which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus Lewis further reminds us that God cannot give us a happiness and peace apart from himself because it is not there there is no such thing unhappiness and depression arise when we focus on what we

do not have instead if we appreciate what we have and set our ites on where we want to be we can Elevate our Spirits almost instantly appreciation and gratitude are among the most powerful tools to lift us out of depression or any negative State you cannot truly feel deep gratitude and negativity simultaneously if you think you can you may be only saying you are grateful without genuinely feeling it Lewis also notes if I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy the most probable explanation is that I was made for

another world this highlights the longing within us that transcends our Earthly experiences another important principle for many suffering from depression and anxiety is the idea of selective attention most often those who experience these feelings can recall moments however brief of laughter hope for the future connections with others and love these are not conscious selections but rather responses triggered by a lifetime of conditioned thoughts we often create rules for ourselves believing I can only be happy if X Y and Z happen such rules will inevitably lead to unhappiness as life will always present challenges and obstacles

with this understanding you can intellectually grasp that depression and anxiety do not need to be permanent learning about how your brain and mind work empowers you to direct your thoughts towards something far more positive in the long term Lewis asserts hardships often prepare Ordinary People for an extraordinary Destiny it is time to view difficulties through a new lens as part of a greater plan Embrace gratitude seek joy in your uniqueness and let go of the need to compare yourself to others trust that God has a purpose for your life and lean into the moments of

happiness that come your way by cultivating a grateful heart and focusing on the present you can find peace amidst the chaos of life being ungrateful for what you already have is a significant problem when you start to cultivate gratitude for your current blessings your perspective will gradually shift and as Philippians 41113 States I am not saying this because I am in need for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances I know what it is to be in need and I know what it is to have plenty I have learned the secret of being

content in any and every situation whether wellfed or hungry whether living in plenty or in want I can do all this through him who gives me strength all compar is another pervasive issue particularly in our current age dominated by social media and the use of filters these filters can create an illusion of perfection allowing individuals to present an exaggerated version of their lives while hiding the pain that often Lies Beneath the surface the happiest people in the world do not engage in comparison they run their own race and are genuinely happy for others to run

theirs in their own time and way happy people do not possess the best of everything they simply make the best of everything life will never go exactly as planned how you respond to the inevitable twists and turns will significantly determine the quality of your life remember as children of God our identity and worth come from him not from how we measure up against others as Psalm 37- 4 reminds us take Delight in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart let me ask you do you believe that there has ever been

a person in the history of the world who felt profound despair in a world filled with suffering but still manag to turn their life around to create something remarkable even enviable absolutely the pain you feel when you are depressed originates from your thoughts about your current situation not from the events themselves change your thoughts and you will change your life use your pain for a greater purpose the fundamental principle for overcoming unhappiness or depression is not to focus on the depression itself many people fall into this trap which only prolongs their suffering instead focus on

where you want to be Matthew 6:33 instructs but seek first his kingdom and his righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well by seeking God you'll find that everything becomes lighter allowing you to concentrate on the feelings you wish to cultivate and the person you aspire to become feel what you would feel if everything in your life fell into place one of the quickest paths out of depression is to create a vision for an attractive future a greater purpose for for your life Jeremiah 29:11 assures us for I know the plans

I have for you declares the Lord plans to prosper you and not to harm you plans to give you hope and a future if you are genuinely excited about your future you cannot remain miserable in the present you can release the burdens of your past a sense of purpose keeps us moving forward while a lack of Direction can weigh us down meaningful goals ignite the fire within us and motivate us to work towards something that excites us do not fixate on material possessions or specific outcomes instead get excited about who you will become how you

will grow and who you can help as a result of creating this amazing life who will benefit from your happiness who will look to you as an example it's important to remember that we often accumulate regrets forgetting that the person who made those mistakes lacked the experience and mindset we have today our past selves did not know how to react in those moments Philippians 31314 reminds us brothers and sisters I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it but one thing I do forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead

I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus CS Lewis beautifully articulates we cannot go back and change the beginning but we can start where we are and change the ending it's time to leave behind guilt and instead focus on the Lessons Learned we are all flawed and incomplete only god is perfect now my dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ I invite you to join me in prayer so that this message not only resonates within us but also reaches the ears of God who knows

our needs at this moment Lord God my father I come before you with a humble and repentant heart acknowledging my failures and seeking your grace life often thrusts us into moments of deep pain and anguish moments when our souls are tormented by fear and uncertainty oh Father I cry out to you for I know that only in you do I find comfort and peace help me Lord to trust in you even in the darkest times strengthen my faith so that I can face trials with courage knowing that you are with me every step of the

way may I find in you the strength needed to overcome anxiety and depression and may my soul be renewed by your constant presence Heavenly Father teach me to live a life of gratitude and contentment help me see beyond comparisons and find joy in who I am and what I have recognizing that I was created in your image and that my identity and worth come from from you assist me in appreciating the blessings you pour upon me daily I know that anxiety and depression can feel deep and overwhelming but I believe that in you I find

the Cure and peace that surpasses all understanding help me leave behind guilt and regret focusing instead experience brings guide me to move forward toward the future you have prepared for me a future full of Hope and purpose oh God grant me the wisdom to understand that pain can be an instrument of growth and transformation may I see each challenge as an opportunity to draw closer to you and strengthen my faith help me recognize that even in moments of suffering you are at work in my life shaping me for a greater purpose beloved father I ask

that you fill my heart with your peace may I find in you The Refuge refuge and strength that I need may your presence surround me giving me the confidence that regardless of the circumstances I am not alone you are my guide my comfort and My Hope in the name of Jesus I pray amen I sincerely hope this message has touched the depths of your soul if you have someone you care deeply about consider sharing this video to help spread these words of encouragement you have the power to make a difference in their lives thank you

for watching and I look forward to seeing you in the next video